Environmental threat for Armenia

80% of Armenia’s territory is under threat of becoming a desert, Ashot Vardanian stated on June 17. Vardanian is head of bio resource management at the Armenian Ministry of Environment Protection. He is also coordinator of the convention on combating drought, and June 17 was the World Day for Combating Desertification and Drought.

Vardanian said that three major factors are creating these deserts: illegal and unorganised woodcutting, cattle grazing and the improper organisation of the agricultural system. He mentioned that only 10% of Armenia’s territory is covered by forest, the rest being used for agriculture, industry and housing. He recommended that the leadership and people take the measures and recommendations elaborated to save the land.